Background: Remington College is joining forces with America's Blood Centers and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America for a series of blood drives across the country.

The effort is called 3 Lives - because three lives may be saved for every one pint of blood donated. The blood drives will focus on the need for minority donors - especially African Americans.

According to America's Blood Centers, the need for African American blood donors is very high. African American donors provide blood with unique antigens, which can mean life-saving treatments for people battling sickle cell, leukemia and other diseases.

The best blood match for a chronically ill patient requiring multiple blood transfusions throughout his or her lifetime will likely come from a donor of the same ethnic background. African American donors provide blood with unique antigens that is vital for people with sickle cell disease.

While the focus is on recruiting minority donors, everyone is encouraged to attend the drive and donate blood. All the blood collected will be used to help people in the Shreveport area.